Little Falls transcript., 1887-05-20

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stand that? Burst open the doors
that are locked and fetch whatever
you find IN the novelist"
Thus commanded the leader, and
then there began a acracking and break.
ing, smashing of windows, cursing,
5scolding, laughing, whilst bags Of -four
and corn, pieces of clothing, pots OF
lard and smoked meat and other vict-
uals which had been left behind were
dragged out Of the houses.
Mother, why do you tremble7''
from the pillow. "Why do these peo.
pie make SO much noise? Is there q
fair to-day? Ny head aches so.'
They will soon be quiet, then you
can sleep again. said the mother. :.
''Listenl" said the little one. .<.
The noise was now heard In their
own yard. Max entered the room
pale as death, Mother" he cried,
"they take father with them! That
must not be, Il do not permit it-you
must also not permit it! They can
not If he does not want to-they are
dogs and not men-I will not-my
tather,-my dear fatherr' the
tears ran down his pale cheeks, whilst
he clenched his fists and rushed out
again.
II will! notr' he screamed into the
leaders face. "You arc not permit
ted to take father away from me and
mother and little Anna. I do not
permit it, do you hear?" and he grasp
ed the officers arm in saying so.
"Be still, silly little fellow" said
the officer, half laughing, half provok.
ed. Nothing is going to happen to
him; besides, little people like you
have to hold their tongue. Remem-
Der that!"
II have to say some thing!' cried
Max with raging anger. II shall not
let my father be taken away. know
what kind OF people you are. I have
seen you in the illage-you have no
honest trade-you steal and rob
and kill people who have done moth.
ing to you"
"Max!" cried his father, who just
came, accompanied by some soldiers,
from the stable, to put the only horse
OF the house, the old bay, into the
cart. Max stopped when he heard
the admonishing tone of the beloved
voice; then he hastened to his father.
"l go with you, when they take
you," he cried resolutely. II shall
not let you go alone-I want to see
what happens"
"And mother? and Anna? What
are you thinking OF, MAXI"
II cannot stay behind--I cannot!"
cried the boy among tears.
"Max, be my sensible, obedient boy,
and look at your mother!'
There in the door stood the poor
woman and looked over to her hus-
band and son. The soldiers loaded
the bags and pots on the cart and
pushed Max aside.
II am ready" said the father, and
pressed through the crowd to his
wife: II must go; you know it; how
tar have togo with them, cannot
learn now Be OF courage even if I
have to stay away long time
Where is Anna? gee we'll, my child, and
do not G i've your mother any trouble.
And you, too, Max, my good, brave
boy,--take care of mother. Do. you
hear?"
Max stood with clenched hands and
dark looks at the windows, when the
train departed; in front a troop of
soldiers on horseback, then the high
laden cart with the old bay, and then
again a troop Of soldiers surrounding
his father like a prisoner.
One hour passed quietly. The sun
shone brightly as If nothing had hap.
pened, the swallows flew from their
nests and returned twittering to their
young ones. Max stood in the street
and watched them with e. bitter feel
ing in his heart.
There! suddenly-listen!-a shot
and another!
Mother, do you hear?"
As If she did not hear it! Shot aft
er shot in always quicker succession;
or whatever it was meant to be; it
sounded like the roaring of wild ami
mails; and yet Max knew that there
was men, VINO rejoiced, complained, or
howled;-however, it was dreadful to
listen to. And between it all the re-
port of the guns, which was re-echoed
from the houses of the village. :
"Poor father!" said the mother,
and Max looked mute into her face.
In the village street the noise and
tumult began again. Troops of SOL
diers came along, the hussars in the
morning had probably been their ad-
vance guard. But this time they
were in a hurry and galloped in wild
haste toward the woods where they
heard the fighting. Max wanted to
60 upon the hill behind the cemetery,
but his mother held him back. So he
climbed the high pine tree in the garden
and looked over to the forest. Rut
he could see nothing but smoke and
hear nothing but the report of the
firing which lasted till the evening.
When the sun went down the shooting
was not SO near, :" and the noise
gradually subsidized, and when the
moon rose all had become quiet and
only the wind rustled in the old nut
trees. s>s,-
Max's mother brought q cup ofmilk
and q piece Of black bread. .stEat that
Max, else you will get sick, : she said,
and with her hand gently stroked the
boys dark hair. ~ - ..s,"
''Do you expect father back to- -day?"
asked Max, without looking at his
supper. VI .%a. /
His mother shrugged her shoulders
and cried. $7'f.
''Where is hers asked Max. l..
"How can you ask me thus?" she
said softly.
e grew later and later and later,
and the father did not come home.
hemother went about the house and
locked the doors and shut the vim
dows, and put out the fire in the kltch-
en where she had prepared Anna's
soup.
"lt is time to 60 to bed" she said.
do you not hear anythingf'' asked
Max. 5a. s s; ,'.ss1